Leeds United injury bombshell drops today ahead of Watford showdown
Daniel Farke has confirmed that three of his first-choice Leeds United players are nursing “a few knocks” ahead of facing Watford on Tuesday.
Speaking to Beren Cross after his side exited the FA Cup to Millwall with a 2-0 fourth-round defeat at Elland Road, Farke said that two players absent from the matchday squad weren’t risked whatsoever.
The German made 10 changes for Saturday’s match with Ethan Ampadu the only player retained in the side from Wednesday’s 2-0 win at Coventry City, and a disjoined display followed in LS11.
Daniel James and Joe Rodon were two of the regulars absent from the matchday squad as a whole, while Joel Piroe only entered the fray from the bench late on, with Mateo Joseph starting up front in his place.
Daniel Farke confirms injuries to key Leeds United trio
James and Rodon’s absences from the squad, as well as Piroe’s restriction to a late cameo in the final 10 minutes, have been explained by Farke post-match, with all three players picking up knocks.
Farke didn’t specify whether these knocks came in the Whites’ victory over Coventry or in training after but did add that he’s hopeful the trio will all be fit and firing at Vicarage Road on Tuesday.
In quotes reported by Cross (8 February), Farke said: “[Joe] Rodon and [Daniel] James had knocks. Not fully recovered. Nothing stupid today.
“Joel Piroe, a few knocks. No sense in risking anything today. [We] hope to have them back for Tuesday.”
Daniel Farke’s fingers crossed ahead of Watford v Leeds United
Missing Rodon at Vicarage Road would be a worry, albeit manageable; missing James would still leave Farke with plenty of options, and missing Piroe would force the German into a reshuffle up front.
However, potentially having all three of his go-to men unavailable in Hertfordshire could prove catastrophic as United look to extend their winning run to three games in the Championship.
Piroe coming off the bench late against Millwall implies that his knock is far less serious than those of James and Rodon, and that’s good news for Farke given Joseph’s poor display at Elland Road.
The Spaniard ran hard but failed to provide any kind of threat in the final third, and his performance showed the chasm between Piroe and his deputy on current form.
Furthermore, Wilfried Gnonto’s display hardly pulled up any trees as he played a costly role in Millwall’s opener, while Ampadu also had an uncharacteristically shaky display at the back.
Having Rodon, James and Piroe in defence, attack and midfield respectively has worked a treat for United in recent weeks, and Farke will be hoping he can call on the trio once more in three days.